I've been preparing all week, and especially today, for Hurricane Douglas, which was supposed to make landfall on Kauai around midnight tonight. First hurricane of the season.
At 5pm, it appears to have turned a bit north, so we might not take a direct hit after all. There's some thunder booms and heavy rain inland, but it's still fairly calm on the coast.
This is the calm before the storm, as I'm sure we'll see some action. I got into my hurricane supply liquor for a rum punch cocktail to celebrate the end of preparations, and the beginning of the wait.
It's a huge relief that it might not hit us after all, but also a bit of a disappointment that all the hard work in preparing might have been for nothing. But on the bright side, it was a good drill, and now I'm more easily prepared for any other emergency that might occur.
I know there are two other hurricanes affecting other folks at this time. Hope everyone stays safe in those areas. I've only had time to pay attention to my own local news.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I feel your pain . I live in SoFlo . Hurricanes have taught me valuable lessons . 1) sleep in your sneakers and bicycle helmets , and a flashlight next to your bed , the night it hits
2) meteorologists know shit about predicting hurricane paths 3) when the power is out for over a week, and the streetlights aren’t working , nobody understands the concept of a 4 way stop.
4) buy a home where the electrical lines are buried . 5) evacuate so you don’t have to deal with the low level stress the week before it hits . With the track being changed every darn day , in the week before the storm hits . 6) if you stay , stock up on cash , and bottled water , and wine
ALeigh
Level 4
July 27, 2020
2
Yep, have learned a lot here too, but this was the first scare of the season. Now I'm prepared for next time.
Good tip about sleeping with bicycle helmet, I'll have to remember that. Mine is handy. Was too hot to think wearing shoes, but have my sturdy shoes and also Ugg boots handy, for the day after.
I slept with my battery radio and lantern on my bed. I always have my gallon jugs with water, plenty of no-cook food, cash and of course wine.
Wish our island would put the power lines underground, but that isn't an option at this point. We just figure we're going to be a few days without power.
I've got enough ice in my freezer/fridge to keep my food cold, and a cooler to transfer daily food into, so I don't need to open fridge more than once a day..
Good to know I was prepared, but even better that it was just a close call. A good drill for the next big one to hit. I'll be ready!
You missed out "get a decent lantern, with LED bulbs, that uses big batteries, and keep some spares for it and a radio. Also, candles and matches/lighter.
@Petter I have one that is rechargeable on my car charger. Since I’m in hurricane alley I have hurricane doors on my garage which is cinderblock construction. When I first moved here I went through a hurricane in an old historical home . Big mistake , it was terrifying. My current home is all cinderblock construction, hurricane windows and doors.
Take a gift from the atmosphere anytime you can get it. Where I live in Lancaster PA, many storms coming out of the southwest seem to split and go around us. Always a good thing.
Barnie2years
Level 8
July 27, 2020
1
Now I am confused. Had thought severe wind storms in the Pacific are called typhoons. Is this term specific to a region of the ocean?
JackPedigo
Level 9
July 27, 2020
0
They are hurricanes here in Hawaii, but called typhoons in East Asia, or the Northeastern Pacific, from what I understand. Same thing, but just depends on the geographic location.
@Julie808 So is either term correct or is this another 'it depends' situations?
@JackPedigo I only know they are called hurricanes here and many other places, but in the northwestern part of the Pacific (so East Asia) they are called typhoons. Same thing different name, as far as I know.
I believe they both begin as cyclones, and morph into tropical storms, and then hurricane/typhoon. I don't know anything beyond that, or why they are called typhoons in east Asia. Here in the South Pacific, they're hurricanes.
@Julie808 Thanks for the clarification, I think.
Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones are all swirling, tropical storms. The nomenclature is mainly geographic. Hurricanes for the Atlantic and North East Pacific. Typhoons for the rest of the Pacific (as far as I can remember from my school days) and Cyclones for the Indian ocean. (My "homeland" ocean)
In Kenya we used to call small twisters "dust devils" and stronger ones "whirlwinds". Proper tornadoes are an extreme rarity.
@Petter Why the difference in terms and areas?
@JackPedigo To answer your question with a question, Why fenders and mudguards, why pavements and sidewalks, why trunks and boots?
@Petter Sounds about right but it seems deeper than simple interchangeability of words.
Stay safe...I hope you’re lucky and that it misses you.
Marionville
Level 10
July 27, 2020
2
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